Myrsine divaricata

Myrsine divaricata is a shrub or small tree up to 4m with drooping/weeping and divaricating branchlets, giving this plant a straggly, twiggy and branched look. and are on short petioles. They are simple, alternate or in fascicles, often broad-obovate Commonly, there will also be a dark marking at the base of the leaf blade. with rough, dark brown bark, which gives them a drooping appearance. The pale yellow to reddish They are small, 4–5 mm in diameter, or (rarely) white. Fruits contain one seed File:Myrsine divaricata 01.jpg|Leaves File:Myrsinedivaricataflowers2.jpg|alt=|Flowers Myrsinedivaricatafruitspurple2.jpg|Fruit == Range ==

Natural global range Myrsine divaricata is endemic to New Zealand. New Zealand range Myrsine divaricata is common and widespread across New Zealand. It can be found in the North Island, South Island, Stewart Island, Auckland Islands, and Campbell Islands from lowland to higher montane environments or sea level to 1,200 m. ==Habitat==

This species has been described as a generalist because it can be found in a wide range of habitats throughout New Zealand. M. divaricata can be found in frost hollows, which are associated with severe frosts and poor drainage. Myrsine divaricata occurs in many woody ecosystems including beech-broadleaved forest alliances, where M. divaricata is a subcanopy species in a silver beech-broadleaf dominated forest or beech forest alliances. In these ecosystems, M. divaricata is often used as an indicator species. ==Ecology==

Phenology Myrsine divaricata is evergreen and dioecious. A few months later, between August and April, these flowers will mature and fruiting will occur, The flowers of M. divaricata are insect pollinated, and frugivorous birds disperse its seeds. The extinct and flightless ratite, moa, are also believed to have predated M. divaricata. Moa gizzard content samples have revealed the leaves and seeds of M. divaricata, indicating that it was once part of the moa diet. Invertebrates that are known to predate M. divaricata includes moths, beetles, flies, bees, true bugs and nematodes. Species of moth use M. divaricata as a host plant by feeding on the plant's leaves or flowers as caterpillars. This has been specifically observed in the moth species, Declana floccosa, Apoctena flavescens, Gellonia pannularia, Pseudocoremia insignita, Pyrgotis plagiatana, Beetles can be found on M. divaricata, often living in dead parts of the plant, like branches, twigs, or bark. Ophryops dispar, Microcryptorhynchus latitarsis, Microcryptorhynchus multisetosus, Microcryptorhynchus suillus, Microcryptorhynchus kronei, Pachyderris punctiventris, Psepholax sulcatus, and Strongylopterus hylobioides. Species of gall fly from the family Cecidomyiidae use M. divaricata as a host plant by inducing and living in galls on the plant as larvae. Bee species that are native and introduced to New Zealand will use this plant for pollen and nectar. Aneurus (Aneurodellus) zealandensis, Eriococcus setulosus, Umbonichiton hymenantherae Poliaspis media, Leucaspis gigas, and Rastrococcus namartini. Introduced mammals such as deers, chamois, and goats will predate M. divaricata. Common brush tailed possums will also predate M. divaricata, but this is very rare. Despite being susceptible to mammalian browsing, M. divaricata is very tolerant because of its diveracate form. Both Korthalsella lindsayi, and Korthalsella clavata use M. divaricata as a host. ==Evolution==

The divaricate form in M. divaricata is theorised to have coevolved as defensive adaptation against the moa. It is believed that the divaricate form prevented heavy moa predation on leaves tightly held within the plant's branches. Myrsine divaricata specifically has a stem tensile strength of 16.6 N/mm-2. providing affirmation towards the fact that the divaricate form did not deter moa browsing, but was useful in preventing damage. ==Chromosome number==

The chromosome number of M. divaricata is 2n = 46. ==References==